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Proscar vs. Cardura

Finasteride (Proscar) is a medication used alone or with doxazosin (Cardura) to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s typically recommended for those with an enlarged prostate who also have symptoms, such as problems urinating. But it can take up to 6 months to work. Luckily, the medication comes as a lower-cost generic option.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• Relieves urinary symptoms
• Lessens the need for prostate surgery

Finasteride (Proscar) daily treatment by itself:

• Inability to have an erection (5-8%)
• Lower sex drive (3-6%)
• Decrease in ejaculation amount (2-4%)

Finasteride (Proscar) taken with doxazosin (Cardura)*:

• Dizziness (23%)
• Inability to have an erection (23%)
• Low blood pressure when getting up (18%)
• Feeling tired (17%)
• Abnormal ejaculation (14%)
• Lower sex drive (12%)

*Since both finasteride (Proscar) and doxazosin (Cardura) were both taken daily, side effects might not be entirely due to finasteride (Proscar).

• Harm to unborn baby
• Lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
• High-risk prostate cancer

Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura) is an alpha-1 blocker that's used to treat adults with enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) or high blood pressure. It's also available as brand name Cardura XL, an extended-release tablet that's FDA approved for treating BPH only. The typical dosage is one tablet by mouth once a day. Side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, and fatigue.

• Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
• High blood pressure - immediate-release tablet only

Immediate-release tablets

• Dizziness (16-19%)
• Fatigue (8-12%)

Extended-release tablets

• Headache (6%)
• Dizziness (5%)
• Respiratory tract infection (5%)
• Feeling weak (4%)

• Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing
• Prolonged and painful erection
• Eye problems
• Digestive system problems - Cardura XL tablet only